"May Day" Protests Take Place Around the World

Most Read

May 1st, aka May Day, is a national holiday in more than 80 countries and has become known as "International Workers' Day." In honor of that, protesters from New York to Los Angeles and across the pond in Europe are playing hooky today to rally support for labor, immigration and Occupy movements.

The morning started with a demonstration in Madrid, Spain, where thousands packed into the city's Cibeles Square to protest their government's economic reform packages. Other demonstrations in Greece, France and Portugal are also taking place, covering issues that span the whole economic and political spectrum.

Back at home, "Occupy" rallies in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles are expected to disrupt commutes, by blocking bridges and public transportation. A march from Chicago's Union Park is set to start at 1 p.m. Just how serious the disruptions will be varies from city to city.

In recent years, May Day has attracted activists and organizations to start a tradition of marches and protests.What's happening in your city today?